Volunteers serve up Thanksgiving meals at Wayside

Hundreds of local volunteers made sure everyone had a happy Thanksgiving.

Holiday meals were served to the city's less fortunate at Wayside Christian Mission's Hotel Louisville.

"There's no reason why anybody in the city of Louisville who's homeless needs to go hungry," said volunteer Vicki Fields, who has battled alcohol and drug addiction.

Fields found herself homeless on Louisville's streets.

"I slept over at the library under the overhang if it was warm enough outside. Sometimes I would sleep in places like abandoned buildings," said Fields.

Fields is now in the Wayside Christian Mission recovery program.

Sharamie Ford also battled addiction, she now sings in the choir.

"I was lost in the madness of the world and I ended up losing custody of my children," said Ford.

The Wayside Christian Mission hands out 2,500 Thanksgiving meals per year, mostly to those living in homeless shelters.

The number of those needing a meal is increasing.

"Unfortunately with the downturn of the economy, we have seen a lot more people who never dreamed they would be homeless. In fact, we have had some people in our shelter who in past years were our volunteers," said Nina Moseley, chief operating officer of Wayside Christian Mission.

She said space for the homeless is running out.

"Yes, our shelters are full, unfortunately. And most of the shelters in Louisville are full," said Moseley.

No person was refused a meal at Hotel Louisville.

Making some not just thankful for a meal, but thankful to be alive.

"Second chances. I'm thankful for God, for being patient with me, for continuing to bless me, in spite of all my behavior, in spite of all my thoughts and my sinful things that I battle with each and every day," said Ford.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner were served at Hotel Louisville.

Homeless guests also received coats collected by several local groups.

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